Texan of the Year

Texan of the Year. Such a tough decision. Richard Morrisson, who shows such promise, yet won''t run for office. Tom DeLay, who exemplifies Texas politics, yet is under investigation for illegal campaign contributions and money laundering.

No, I think I'll cast my vote for Kinky Freidman. Kinky has been shaking up Texas politics for years, and now he's making a serious run for Governor of the State of Texas.

His platform?

• Texas has the 8th largest economy in the world, but we're 1st in drop-out rates and 49th in education spending in the country.
• Texas ranks rock-bottom in providing for the basic needs of its youngest and poorest residents. More than one fifth of Texas children have no health insurance at all.
• We're a state that prides itself on friendliness and responsibility, but the message we're sending our kids is that if you're going to be born poor, you'd better not be born in Texas.

That's good enough for me. Although he's controversial and occasionally off-the-wall, he makes a lot of sense, and he's not beholding to any special interests.

And so he gets my vote as Texan of the Year, and as future Governor.

Why the hell not?